The New York City Department of Transportation on Wednesday said it will reduce speed limits for vehicles driving in DUMBO to 20 mph by classifying the area as a Regional Slow Zone.
The Brooklyn zone will cover 0.18 square miles, extending from Furman Street to the west; Water Street, Plymouth Street, and John Street to the north; Navy Street and Hudson Avenue to the east; and Sands Street and the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway to the south.
This area saw one traffic fatality and 10 severe injuries during the last five years, according to a press release.
The RSZ is a specific geographic area where speed limits will be set at 20 mph to improve traffic safety. The DOT has also reduced speed limits at 70 locations since last fall and the reductions follow the passage of Sammy’s Law, a state law granting the city greater authority to reduce speed limits.
“Lowering vehicle speed limits by even a few miles per hour could be the difference between life or death in a traffic crash,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “Our newest Regional Slow Zones will save lives and protect our most vulnerable New Yorkers in some of our busiest pedestrian communities."
City Island in the Bronx, and parts of Broad Channel in Queens and St. George in Staten Island were also classified as a RSZ.
